While Aoda and the others were binding the five priests, who had been almost completely drained of blood, together like dumplings, Duolin had already brought the experimental subjects from the house.
The warm morning sun shone on these thin, pitiful boys, who instinctively reached out to shield their eyes, their pale skin seeming as if it would be mercilessly scorched at any moment.
Ed turned to look at everyone, unsure of what to say for a moment.
He has now built a complete self-awareness. As Little Green said, he is a world miracle in a state of unity of matter, spirit, and mind. So, looking at these poor children who share the same plight as his predecessor in this world, Ed's heart is indeed unable to remain unmoved.
Just as he was about to say something, Duolin stepped forward first and bowed slightly:
"Your Grace, the test subjects have been brought in; there are thirty-eight in total, plus a family member of one of the test subjects who is seriously injured."
Duolin finished speaking, the test subjects erupted in chaos, as if they had finally confirmed something.
" Number Three, you really are Number Three!"
Are you Ed? Are you still alive?
What happened to your eyes? Who did it?
Why does he call you bishop?
"..."
Ed was overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. The original owner's memories were like files that had been shredded; every piece was useful, yet none of them were truly of any use.
Ed was also very interested in this past, gently pushed his hands forward twice and said:
"Everyone, we can talk about what happened after my escape later. Right now, there are more important things to do. Let me treat you all first."
Having said that, he waved to Aoda, and the four guards and volunteers immediately looked at the boxes that Ed had asked them to protect with their lives.
Upon opening the boxes, everyone was stunned; the several heavy, enormous wooden crates were filled to the brim with...
Component.
Several volunteers exclaimed "Wow!" and began to wonder why they had come here today.
Ed could only shake his head helplessly, but he didn't bother to explain anything. He simply signaled to the guards to keep an eye on these troublemakers and not let them disturb him while he was doing his business.
Then Ed looked at Duolin:
"You take the lead, I'll handle the gamble."
"Ah?"
Duolin, who was still pondering why the experimental subject recognized the Son of God, immediately snapped out of his reverie. Thinking of the treatment he and the others received after the battle in the cabin, he instantly understood Ed's thoughts.
Duolin's right hand transformed into a not-too-long straight sword, while his left hand became a structure resembling a giant clamp. Ed first used [ Vitality Touch Mark ] and pre-prepared food to extend the life of the disfigured innkeeper, then looked at the test subjects.
At this moment, he felt like Huowang, who had just rescued his grotesque fellow disciples from the evil cultivation cave. Putting aside the strange sense of déjà vu, he said to the test subjects:
"Everyone, line up and tell me what you need."
Even though they sensed that Number Three in front of them had changed somewhat, the test subjects instinctively felt a familiar aura emanating from him. Their months-to-year bond as fellow inmates quickly lowered their guard.
Although they look very different, Number Three is still Number Three.
The test subjects obediently shut their mouths, then lined up in order, and Ed and Duolin began to get busy:
"Name?"
" Darnell."
"What is missing?"
"One foot."
Ed reached into the box and rummaged around for a while, then took out the items, compared them, and sighed.
Please be more specific about the following.
After saying that, he put his right foot back in the box and switched to his left foot.
Duolin looked at the somewhat numb experimental subjects, a clear sense of pity appearing on his face.
Darnell was alright; at least he had his parents by his side. But the other children weren't so lucky.
With his parents' help, Duolin cut open the severed wound on Darnell's left ankle. Ed quickly activated his ability [ Vitality Touch Mark ] and then precisely aligned the two wounds that were growing granulation tissue.
A few seconds later, a look of surprise appeared on Darnell's face. He put his left foot on the ground and stomped it twice, then wiggled his toes. He then signaled to his parents to let go, and began to take careful steps. After a few steps, he had already evolved to jogging.
Ed didn't have the energy to watch Darnell's big jump; while searching with both hands, he gave instructions like an old Chinese medicine doctor:
"You'll probably be lame for a while longer. Eat more nutritious food, and don't just drink water and get some sun. You should be fine in about a month. Here, take a piece of jerky and gnaw on it."
"Next, name?"
" Qieli."
"What is missing?"
Left hand, right arm.
"... Alright, take the jerky and go eat it yourself."
"Next, name?"
Number Four.
"What is missing?"
"The entire right leg."
"... Take the jerky and go eat it yourself."
"Next, name?"
"Hmm? Oh, so you don't have vocal cords."
"... Take it and go eat it yourself."
"Next, name?"
" Tiya."
"What is missing?"
"Left arm and right arm."
"... Go and gnaw on it."
A few minutes later, Ed looked at the large group of hamsters squatting on the ground chewing and said, suppressing a laugh:
"Don't leave here, everyone. You are absolutely safe here with the protection of the guards."
"I know many people want to go home immediately, but the apostates have not been completely eliminated yet, so please wait a little longer."
The test subjects looked at Ed, their nodding and swallowing movements coinciding in a somewhat comical way.
He said earnestly to Duolin beside him:
"Protect them well, and keep a close watch on the prisoners."
"Yes!"
Duolin straightened his back and turned to look at his four teammates:
"Attention! Level 1 alert!"
The order was given, and Aoda watched over the five priests who had already fainted from blood loss, while Duolin and the other three began to carefully patrol the area, preventing any suspicious persons from approaching the open space.
Ed's lips curled into a smile as he looked at the few "troublemakers" from the Upperstream Village and said with a laugh:
"Put the box on and follow me."
"Yes, yes, I obey..."
Without the slightest hesitation, the group lifted two heavy-looking boxes filled with human parts and followed behind Ed.
As the church doors drew closer, a man's expression twisted with rage, and he couldn't help but ask:
"Your Excellency, shall we go in?"
Ed returned a bright smile:
"Of course, there are already wounded inside."
As Ed issued a command in his mind, a green healing icon appeared on the minimaps of all the players who had already stormed the church, and a combat announcement began scrolling in everyone's view:
[Healer Ed Adrian is about to enter the combat zone and begin roaming. His location is marked on the Soul Returner. Please plan your combat and healing time accordingly to minimize injuries and deaths.]
Upon hearing Ed's words, the volunteers' hands went limp, and they almost dropped the boxes they were holding and turned to run away. But a dark shadow blocked their view from behind, and when they looked up, they saw that a huge golem, almost three people tall, had already shielded them in front of it.
Ed turned his head and said meaningfully:
"Don't worry, the golem will protect you. Just follow me."